Gannon University’s College of Engineering and Business announced it is launching a new Master of Science program in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. This program is tailored to teach those with no prior cyber training to expand their skillset and open up hiring potential.

This program is 30 credits and can be completed all online in two, 7-week sessions per semester. This degree is considered to have “stackable credentials,” which allows program graduates to earn multiple certificates as they complete their degree, including a cybersecurity essentials certificate and an information systems security certificate.

Each of these certificates takes 12 credits to complete, then the degree also requires a cybersecurity elective (three credits), and a project or directed research (three credits). Students can, however, apply directly to complete a single certificate instead of the entire degree.

Some of the companies that require these certificates and foundational cyber knowledge include CompTIA Networking+, CompTIA Security+, Global Information Assurance Certification and the Certified Information Systems Security Professional. According to Cyber Seek, there are currently 521,617 total cybersecurity jobs in the U.S., with 16,063 of those in Pennsylvania.

In a statement released by Gannon, the program is said to teach competencies for those careers, including:

• Determining compliance requirements and understanding legal issues pertaining to information security;
• Applying cyber forensic and investigation techniques using current computer forensic tools;
• Effectively securing business using current trends in network management;
• Analyzing business continuity requirements, enforcing personnel security procedures, and applying risk management concepts;
• Understanding threat methodologies and applying risk-based management concept to the supply chain.

Currently, the school offers undergraduate degrees on campus for similar topics, such as computer science, cyber engineering and cybersecurity, as well as graduate degrees for computer and information science and cybersecurity essentials.

This new master’s degree will help working professionals stay up to date in a constantly changing technological world.

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Student Experience, said, “Most small- to medium-sized organizations do not have the resources to hire additional staff to address cyber security risks. This program can train existing personnel within those organizations to protect organizational assets that are at risk in today’s business environment.”

Applications are now being accepted for the Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity program, which is scheduled to start in the fall.

CHLOE FORBES

[email protected]